By Sharing, Youths Make Thanksgiving Happier For Needy

November 29, 1985

The cardboard boxes used as baskets were loaded with turkeys or chickens, dressing mix, fruits and canned goods, as the senior class at St. Thomas Aquinas High School visited 110 impoverished families in Broward and Palm Beach counties to bring them some Thanksgiving.

The students packed the Catholic school`s gymnasium in Fort Lauderdale on Tuesday, preparing for the visits. Each year members of the senior class at St. Thomas raise money for turkeys by selling doughnuts, and buy the rest of the food out of their own pockets.

``It gives them experience in cooperation and coordination,`` said teacher Jim Morina, who coordinated the effort. ``What we do for others is tangible to God -- the whole Christian concept, that we shall love in action. (The students) also have recognition that there are needy people out there, there are people in need, and they`re fortunate in what they have.``

The students had raised $1,400 for the turkeys, which ranged from 10 to 22 pounds, and for chickens for couples or people living alone. The students provided Thanksgiving meals for 607 people altogether.

The students divided into four- to six-member teams with such names as the Flying Butterballs, Chicone`s Gobblers or the Turkey Trotters, and visited families or organizations such as the Covenant House in Plantation with the Thanksgiving meals.

Davie resident Nick Banks was a member of the Flying Butterballs, which visited an impoverished family in Lauderhill composed of an older couple, their daughter and her 4-year-old child.

He was warmed by the family`s response to the delivery. The group had spent about $50 of its own money to buy fruits and vegetables, sweet potatoes, milk, butter, eggs, dressing, soda and pie for the four-member family.

``She was really excited to get the food and really thankful,`` Banks said, describing the almost empty refrigerator. ``I didn`t know what to expect -- she kept saying `God bless you.` It helped me realize there are a lot of people out there that do need help. ``

``It helps the people who can`t have a well-rounded Thanksgiving dinner,`` said John Encizo of Plantation, who was a member of a group that delivered a small Thanksgiving dinner to an older woman, handicapped with diabetes and living alone.